For years, Pentagon officials have insisted that the open-air burn pits incinerating tons of garbage and other waste on U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan could not be causing long-term health problems for our troops. But an unclassified memo (.pdf) dated more than a year ago and recently leaked to Spencer Ackerman over at Wired’s Danger Room indicates that the Army knew very well that the air quality, at least at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, could have dire health consequences for anyone living and working there between 2002 and 2010.

And the “primary contributor” to the dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5, which refers to the size of the contaminants) found in the air? Burn pits.

“The long term health risk associated with air conditions at BAF from PM 2.5 and PM 10 indicates there is a potential that long-term exposure at these levels may increase the risk for developing chronic health conditions such as reduced lung function or exacerbated chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, aetherosclerosis, or other cardiopulmonary diseases,” according to the memo.

It’s big because it proves the Pentagon has had more concrete proof about the dangerous air quality around the pits and what it has done to tens of thousands of troops in the field than it’s ever let on. In fact, as recently as July 2011, the DoD’s American Forces Press Service claimed, “there is no evidence to suggest that service members deployed to U.S. Central Command are being disproportionately affected by environmental factors.” That was months after the April 2011 memo published by Ackerman today.

In June 2010, even after admitting that chronic health problems were plaguing servicemembers stationed at Joint Base Balad, at a 30 percent higher rate than other bases, Craig Postlewaite, a Pentagon spokesman, told Kelly Kennedy of the Army Times, “We clearly understand it can cause problems in some people. … What we’re not sure is if there are long-term effects or latent effects.”

Meanwhile, veterans have been complaining about strange and debilitating health problems for years now. Like former Staff Sgt. Daniel Meyer, who is now completely dependent on an oxygen tank to get through his day. I interviewed him in February. He has a rare, irreversible lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans,which can be brought on by inhaling toxic fumes. He’s only 27. He believes that he was exposed to burn pits while stationed at Iraq and Afghanistan with the Air Force. “I have gone from an extremely fit military man to a very limited man who is completely dependent on my wife for help with everything,” he told me.

A study in 2010 by Dr. Anthony Szema at Stony Brook University in New York found that 7 percent of troops who served at Balad Air Base early in the Iraq War have come home with a “serious lung injury,” including elevated levels of acute respiratory illnesses, asthma, and lung damage. Szema is now conducting a major study of veterans exposed to the burn pits. He will be assisted by BurnPits360, which has become a clearinghouse for veterans suffering from conditions they believe are connected to their time in-theater. The site is also maintaining a registry of those veterans and their stories.

Thirty-eight of 49 veterans biopsied at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were found to have constrictive bronchiolitis, an illness that causes permanent shortness of breath during exercise, according to a 2011 study by Dr. Robert Miller, associate professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“These are inhalation injuries, suffered in the line of duty,” said Miller who believes the burn pits are but one source of the air pollution plaguing sick vets. A number of the vets he biopsied had also been exposed to the 2003 sulfur plant fire in Mosul.

According to a report by USA Todaylast May, the military has seen a 251 percent increase in the rate of neurological disorders, a 47 percent increase in the rate of respiratory issues, and 34 percent increase in the rate of cardiovascular disease.

And what are these “burn pits?” A convenient way to get rid of waste on the bases, they acted as open-air trash heaps that burned hazardous waste (including, by some accounts, amputated limbs and used hypodermic needles), hardware, Styrofoam, lithium batteries, rubber, dining-hall refuse, petroleum products, pressure-treated wood, plastics, animal carcasses, latrine waste, aluminum cans, and unexploded ordnance, among other things. Regulation incinerators were brought in only late in the war and under pressure.

Thanks to congressional action brought on by veterans’ advocacy groups like the DAV and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA), most of the pits have been shut down over the last three years and replaced by incinerators. Of course, people like Meyer and others who will never be the same healthwise say it was a day too late.

1511040 Responseshttp%3A%2F%2Fantiwar.com%2Fblog%2F2012%2F05%2F22%2Fpentagon-caught-in-another-lie-about-soldiers-health%2FPentagon+Caught+in+Another+Lie+About+Soldiers%27+Health2012-05-22+17%3A28%3A27Kelley+Beaucar+Vlahoshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.antiwar.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D15110 to “Pentagon Caught in Another Lie About Soldiers’ Health”

What about the health effects to all the Afghan men, women and children who've had this toxic air to breathe for years? Or is this air confined to only Americans and NATO members space?

I am sad to know ours and other nations military members are subjected to ills caused by environmental wrongs such as this, but once again – as with all wars we wage on other countries – the population of Afghanistan and their suffering at our hands is not mentioned.

Those who serve in the US military are only serving the Empire. I know it's hard to accept that but it's the truth. Soldiers are routinely exposed to depleted uranium and are often used as guinea pigs for untestd vaccines.

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I would suggest trying to prevent the dehydration before it happens. Usually in a Triathlon I try to drink more fluid on the start of the bike rather than the end so that it can already be going into my system, though I am not thirsty when I start the bike portion because of swimming in cool water. Also, drink or pour water on you at every aid station on the run.

Those who provide in the US army are only providing the Kingdom. I know it's difficult to agree to that but it's the fact. Military are regularly revealed to exhausted uranium and are often used as guinea hogs for untestd vaccines

Home remedies are indeed helpful, but being an asthma patient I would also recommend doing some exercises. Staying in good health provides better resistance from asthma episodes. However, don't overdo or force your body beyond its limit. Begin with light exercises.

Burpees are incredible, likewise get an old medium estimate tire and a sledge mallet, then get down to business on the tire. Begin at 30 seconds of hitting emulated by 2 moment rest, then rehash two progressively times (sum 3 rounds of 30 sec hitting each round and 2 minutes of rest). When this gets simpler, move to 3 rounds at one moment of hitting and the two minutes of rest. This will smolder calories and be a mind blowing generally speaking molding apparatus.

Take some time to look back at what you have written about your ideal vision of health and consider how this vision could be translated into goals that are actually realistic and achievable for you within the next twelve months.

Those who offer in the US army are only offering the Empire. I know it's challenging to accept to that but it's the truth. Military are consistently exposed to tired uranium and are often used as guinea hogs for untestd vaccinations

Wow. For anyone afterward this adventure for the endure several years as TAC has (we adherent a affection to it in our Oct. 1, 2009 affair of the magazine, and I accept connected with several aftereffect blog posts and a alternation of letters for Antiwar.com, as well) knows this is big news.

It's big because it proves the Pentagon has had added accurate affidavit about the alarming air superior about the pits and what it has done to tens of bags of troops in the acreage than it's anytime let on. In fact, as afresh as July 2011, the DoD's American Forces Press Account claimed, ???there is no affirmation to advance that account associates deployed to U.S. Central Command are getting disproportionately afflicted by ecology factors.??? That was months afterwards the April 2011 announcement appear by Ackerman today.

The individuals who serve in the US military are just serving the Empire. I know its difficult to acknowledge that however its reality. Officers are routinely laid open to drained uranium and are frequently utilized as guinea pigs for untestd antibodies.

Normally in a Triathlon I attempt to drink more liquid on the begin of the cycle instead of the end with the goal that it can be going into my framework, however I am not parched when I begin the bicycle segment as a result of swimming in cool water. Likewise, drink or spill water on you at each support station on the run.

Burpees are incredible, likewise get an old medium estimate tire and a sledge mallet, then get down to business on the tire. Begin at 30 seconds of hitting emulated by 2 moment rest, then rehash two progressively times (sum 3 rounds of 30 sec hitting each round and 2 minutes of rest). When this gets simpler, move to 3 rounds at one moment of hitting and the two minutes of rest. This will smolder calories and be a mind blowing generally speaking molding apparatus.

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It's well crafted, am 45 decades of age dental professional and need to look satisfactory always with a grin on my experience. I appreciate your guidelines which will definitely help someone like me who hardly has time to think about experience proper care despite it's need.

I would recommend trying to prevent the lack of fluids before it happens. Usually in a Tri I try to consume more liquid on the begin of the bicycle rather than the end so that it can already be going into my system, though I am not dehydrated when I begin the bicycle section because of diving in cool h2o. Also, consume or add h2o on you at every aid place on the run.

Normally in a Tri I attempt to consume more liquid on the start of the cycle instead of the end with the goal that it can be going into my structure, however I am not dry when I start the bike section as a result of diving in cool h2o. Likewise, consume or leak h2o on you at each support place on the run.

I would recommend trying to prevent the lack of fluids before it happens. Usually in a Tri I try to consume more liquid on the begin of the bicycle rather than the end so that it can already be going into my system, though I am not dehydrated when I begin the bicycle section because of diving in cool h2o. Also, consume or add h2o on you at every aid place on the run.

Those who provide in the US army are only providing the Kingdom. I know it's difficult to agree to that but it's the fact. Military are regularly revealed to exhausted uranium and are often used as guinea hogs for untestd vaccinations.